Every time I travel to Kauai it’s always amazing, but there’s also always a different experience – A new hike, surf break, food truck or beach. This year, there was a whole new level of newness: being there with a toddler. Yeah, This meant no super crazy hikes, or excursions. But it was pretty darn special in it’s own way.
I guess what it was, is that at this age EVERYTHING is new and amusing to Levi. Everything. And the good news is I pretty much love everything about Kauai, and find it all fascinating, so we saw eye to eye.
Sitting in the sand, walking in the sand, letting the waves cover our toes, being barefoot everywhere, shave ice, swimming, soaking up the views, sunsets, chasing chickens & roosters (ok that was Levi, not me), wearing as little clothing as possible (lucky little dude got to log in some much needed naked baby time), smoothies and fresh fruits, and soaking up all that glorious, smells and feels like heaven, Hawaiian air.
Basically it was magical to me to wake up every morning and log in beach time with this little guy in one of my favorite places on earth. Getting salty and sandy with him was priceless. I’d fly solo with him again into straight headwinds on an extra long flight where he refused to sleep and has zero interest in anything… time and time again.
I’m not one to dish out mom advice, but let me just say this. If you’re going to Hawaii with a toddler, I highly recommend the following: Don’t have any huge expectations. Find an uncrowded beach (or section of one) and let them run around, dig holes in the sand, get super sandy, splash, run in and out of the water, and be nekked. Get shave ice with them. A lot. And smoothies. Enjoy going on walks. Bring an ergo so you can still hike. Stop and smell the flowers with them. If it rains, get out and play in it. And be sure to watch the sunset together.
Also, if they refuse to stay still and take a pic with you, I think that’s totally normal too.
Kauai, I love you.
Even more so now that I see how much my little dude has fallen for you too.
See you again soon. I hope.
Pics top to bottom: Messy hair, we don’t care // Having a GQ moment (boardshorts from target) // Sunset auto timer jackpot // Failed attempt at a pic together (I’m wearing an Ola Feroz Suit) // Hiking and whale watching. Yay multi tasking. // Suns out buns out (love taking pics like this) // Happy feet //